About Us
The first recorded golfer from Huntly is the 1st Marquess of Huntly and 6th Earl of Huntly, George Gordon. He held the office of High Chancellor of Scotland and was a very prominent figure in the 16th century. Born in 1562 and died in 1636, he took a leading role in the political and military life of Scotland.
While it is not explicitly documented where he learnt to play golf, the game was gaining in popularity in Scotland during his lifetime. The Old Course at St. Andrews, one of the earliest golf courses, dates back to the 15th century. It’s likely he learnt to play in Scotland, possibly even in St Andrews given his family’s connections in that area.
While as yet, there is no specific record of him playing golf at his home at Huntly Castle has been located, since he owned most of the surrounding countryside there including the meadow land around the Castle which now forms our Golf Course, this land would have lent itself to the game of golf and where he may have honed his skill, practising in the grounds of the castle. An intriguing thought given the location particularly of our 2nd hole and its green.
He certainly played an away game as he is recorded playing a game with the Duke of Lennox on 18th October 1581 in Leith near Edinburgh.
Fast forward over 300 years to 1892 and the year our Club was formed. It was when we were honoured to have appointed as our first President, Charles Gordon-Lennox, His Grace the 6th Duke of Richmond & Gordon (also the 1st Duke of Gordon), who by then had come to inherit huge areas of land including the Castle Parks and who was very supportive of the formation of the Club.
He was a very notable figure in the UK and beyond. Our Vice-President was Colonel Davidson of Huntly Lodge, now The Castle Hotel.
Our President was an MP who served under three Prime Ministers - the Earl of Derby, Benjamin Disraeli and then The Marquess of Salisbury. He subsequently became Leader of the House of Lords. And he was also aide-de-camp to the Duke of Wellington and Chancellor of Aberdeen University, the latter position held by him from 1861 until his death at Gordon Castle, Fochabers in 1903.
Quite a remarkable gentleman.
And quite a remarkable impact on the world from some Huntly Golfers…
Considered a true hidden gem, Huntly has inspired successes through its former members turned PGA professionals David Ingram, John and David Chillas and Ian Rae.
David Ingram would later become a professional at Dalmahoy Golf Club near Edinburgh Where John Chillas joined him as his assistant before moving on to play on the European Tour Circuit, something his younger brother David would also do.
In 1981, thanks to its continued success, it was agreed that it was time for the Club to finally own their own course, but it wasn’t until May 1987 that golf course passed to the ownership of Huntly Golf Club, followed the year after with the opening of a new clubhouse.
To this day, the course continues to inspire members, guests, and visitors alike, and is cherished by the local community it serves.
